Ms. Koltov's Social Studies Classes - Faces of Our Government

Faces of Our Government

Position (Look up the person's name and paste a picture of him/her-- period 6 does this)	Branch of Government (Executive, Legislative, or Judicial-- period 5 does this)	Achievements or Current Issues (In your class's assigned color, RED for period 5, BLUE for period 6, list TWO to THREE important facts)
President Barack Obama	Executive	First African American President Passed the Health Care Bill Approved 2,500 Highway Projects for better transportation
Vice President: Joe Biden	Executive	Implemented the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, laying lays the foundation for a sustainable economic future. The chair of the administration’s Middle Class Task Force, which is working to raise the living standards of middle class American families. Member of the executive branch of the government Served as a senator for Delaware for seven terms Attempted to run as Democratic presidential candidate in 1978.
Secretary of State Hilary Clinton	Executive	During her trip to Japan (that occurred February 16, 17, and 18), Hillary Clinton met with senior Japanese government officials to discuss the stategic bilateral alliance and cooperation with Japan on global and regional issues. Hillary Clinton also met with the senior leaders in Seoul (on the 19th and 20th of February) to talk about America's global cooperative partnership with their ally, the Republic of Korea Branch of government: Republican On October 11, 2010, launched a new global initiative aimed at reducing the technology gap between men and women in developing nation With all the money America gives to Pakistan, Pakisan does not pay many, if any, of its taxes and Hilary Clinton wants them to begin putting forth more money Hilary Clinton met with the Union Finance Minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee in Washington D.C to discuss business, trade and money on October 8, 2010 Possibility of her replacing Joe Biden as VP in 2012
Secretary of Treasury Timothy Geithner	Executive	Reports revealed that he had failed to pay $34,000 in taxes when he was employed by the International Monetary Fund. Even though he later paid off these debts, he still has a hearing with the Senate about it on January 21st. He taught Chinese as an apprentice teacher when he was an undergraduate at Dartmouth College in the early 1980’s. He was part of the deal that saved AIG from failing. International Affairs division of the U.S. Treasury Department in 1988 He was Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs 1998–2001 Oct 2003, named president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Nov 2003, he rejected Sanford Weill's offer to take over as Citigroup's chief executive Shortly after assuming his role as Secretary of the Treasury, Geithner met with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi saying that the U.S. attached great importance to its relations with China and that U.S.–China cooperation was essential in order for the world economy to fully recover.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates	Executive	He was born Sept. 24, 1943, in Wichita, Kan. In March 2006, he joined a bipartisan group responsible for assessing the Bush administration's Iraq policies In 1996, he published his memoir, From the Shadows: the Ultimate Insider's Story of Five Presidents and How They Won the Cold War Robert gates has recently been discussing with China and Vietnam that the U.S. wants to maintain the shipping lanes in what the Chinese have claimed their waters, free and open because the considers them international waters. This would involve limiting Chinese control over specific waters. Prior to being the secretary of defense he served for many years in the CIA Gates suggests that the way to advance armies from a traditional one to the future is by spending the money on defense rather than weapons to provoke war. Gates says "nation's first truly 21st century defense budget."[47]. In late April 2010, he plans to suggested the Navy better spend its money on a new generation of vessels made specifically to protect against threats and war tactics. Rather than focusing on purchasing multi-billion dollar ballistic missile submarines.
Attorney General - Eric Holder	Executive	Nominated for Attorney General of the U.S. in 2008 Elected February 2, 2009 April 1, 2009, Holder announced that he had ordered the dismissal of the indictment against former senetor Ted Stevens. November 13, 2009 Holder announced that accused terrorists in september 11th to be transfered to the U.S. District Court In May 2010, Holder admits that he did not read Arizona’sImmigration Law despite criticizing it. Supports the Democratic Party He was born on January 21, 1951
Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius	Executive	She was made the Secretary of Health and Human Services on April 29, 2009. She is from Kansas. More than $727 million in grants was obtained from the Affordable Care Act. This money will be used to upgrade and expand community health centers and will therefore provide care for an additional 745,000 patients.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan	Executive	Created and implemented the New Housing Marketplace Plan which plans build and preserve 165,000 affordable homes Sworn in as 15th US Secretary for Housing and Urban Development on January 26 of last year Previously served as Commissioner of NY City Department of Housing Preservation and Development "Announced the availability of $5.1 million in grants this week to train additional housing counselors as the number of foreclosures remains high." http://www.housingfinance.com/news/ahf/092910-ahf-Donovan-Announces-Funds-to-Train-Counselors.htm "he ran housing programs that helped 1.7 million families access affordable housing. He also served as acting FHA Commissioner during the Clinton/Bush presidential transition" http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/about/principal_staff/secretary_donovan
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan	Executive	Among his most significant accomplishments during his tenure as CEO, an all-time high of 66.7 percent of the district's elementary school students met or exceeded state reading standards, and their math scores also reached a record high, with 70.6 percent meeting or exceeding the state's standards. -Arne Duncan attended the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools [1] and later Harvard University, he graduated in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in sociology. 9th United States Secretary of Education CEO of the Chicago Public schools- In office June 26,2001 until January 21, 2009. Political Party- Democratic

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano

Executive

January 2006, she won the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service.
Named secretary of homeland security January 2009
First female secretary of homeland security

Secretary of Energy Steven Chu
external image COP15--Steven-Chu-001.jpg

Executive

ACHEIVABLES.

Developed a Nobel Peace Prize winning Laser cooling system. Lasers are amazing.
Had the idea to make Roads and rooftops white to reflect the sun’s energy back at it.
TAKE THAT SUN. THAT’S RIGHT, WE HATE YOU. YOU FOLLOW US AROUND AND WE HATE YOU.
Steven Chu vehemently opposes drastic measures to control greenhouse gases, instead encouraging “research into advanced biofeuls, artificial photosynthesis, and other solar energy research.”
On October 5, 2010, Steven Chu announced that the United States will “lead by example” by installing both solar panels and a solar hot water heater on the roof of the White House, which would show the world and American citizens that “American solar technology is available, reliable, and ready to install in homes throughout the country.” Solar panels used to exist on the roof of the White House, but were removed during the Reagan administration.
Steven Chu recently announced that the United States Department of Energy would help finance a 2 billion dollar project called the Caithness Energy LLC Shepherds Flat project that would establish 338 wind turbines in Arlington, Oregon. These turbines are predicted to produce an amount of energy equal to that of a nuclear power plant. By donating 1.3 billion dollars to this effort, Chu hopes that this project will cement the United State’s commitment to becoming more energy conscious.

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson
external image images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTk80kv9kB-_X3oGqTJNEFgD8W5jpo4cQO88i02id8hg4SX1G4&t=1&usg=__w3RZMn_FjMFhr7bSbWZMkBoG7YQ=

external image images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTk80kv9kB-_X3oGqTJNEFgD8W5jpo4cQO88i02id8hg4SX1G4&t=1&usg=__w3RZMn_FjMFhr7bSbWZMkBoG7YQ=

Executive

First person of African American descent to have this position
On Dec. 8, 2009 she started U.S. campaign to tackle greenhouse gas emission
Chief of staff to governor Jon Corzine in NJ
Bachelor’s with honors from Tulane University’s School of Chemical Engineering

UN Ambassador Susan Rice
external image images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTF6kSY8o5sP8XNJNy15fRDjMAWD27ByLYmJvWBWeZnLKNTe9w&t=1&usg=__FSpq7pg0J8YE3t8VwjQRGsQcjvo=

external image images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTF6kSY8o5sP8XNJNy15fRDjMAWD27ByLYmJvWBWeZnLKNTe9w&t=1&usg=__FSpq7pg0J8YE3t8VwjQRGsQcjvo=

Executive

Unanimously appointed by U.S. Senate
Four goals: strengthening power of U.N., address climate change, preventing spread of nuclear weapons, combating poverty, disease, and genocide

National Security Advisor James L. Jones

National Security Adviser James L. Jones: "Generals always ask for more troops. Take it from me."

Executive

Announced he was retiring today (10/8)
Worked with getting troops out of Iraq
Was a Major General of the Marines
Was an ex-marine, and retired from the marine corps on February 1, 2007, after more than 40 years of service
Was born in Kansas City, Missouri on December 19, 1943
Serves as the cheif advisor to the President of the United States on national Security Issues
Special envoy for Middle East security, working with Israelis and Palestinians to strengthen security for both sides

Senator Scott Brown
external image ?m=02&d=20100712&t=2&i=152748649&w=460&fh=&fw=&ll=&pl=&r=2010-07-12T162754Z_01_BTRE66B19QP00_RTROPTP_0_SENATE-BROWN

Legislative

Brown was sworn in to office on February 4, 2010, by Vice President Joe Biden, in his capacity as President of the Senate, on the floor of the Senate.[53] As a Class I Senator, his term will last until January 3, 2013.
Brown voted for a state measure on patients' rights that, among other provisions, requires emergency rooms to provide what is known as the morning-after pill [70] to rape victims to prevent an unwanted pregnancy from developing.
Brown is a 30-year member of the Massachusetts National Guard, in which he currently holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Judge Advocate General's Corps.

Senator John F. Kerry

Legislative

Representative Barney Frank
external image Barney_Frank.jpg

Legislative

Barney Frank was elected into the House of Representatives in 1980. Since 1980, Frank has been re-elected into the house at every election.
Frank is a member of the Democratic Party
Frank proposed the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2008 which allowed small amounts of marijuana to be possessed by the public. The proposal died however he re-introduced the bill in 2009 as the Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adult Act of 2009.

Chief Justice John Roberts

Judicial

Associate Justice Elena Kagan
external image elena%20kagan%202.jpg

Judicial

First woman to hold the office of solicitor general in the Justice Deparment
Former dean of Harvard Law School

Antonin_Scalia_2010.jpg

Ass. Justice Antonin Scalia

Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy
external image kennedy.JPG

Judicial

Has been supreme court justice since appointed by Regan in 1988
Has recently been labeled as the “swing vote” of the court, which is often split 5-4, but he tends to lean more towards the conservative side
Unlike most conservatives, he is pro-gay and pro-choice; this is very controversial among people in both parties
He wants to reform overcrowded federal prisons

Associate Justice Clarence Thomas
external image 2_clarence.jpg

Educated at Holy Cross and Yale law school
Serves on the U.S. Supreme court
Second African-American Justice on the supreme court

Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg

Judicial

Associate Justice Stephen Breyer
external image breyer.jpg

Judicial

Appointed in 1994 by Bill Clinton in the associate justice of the Supreme Court.
He served as a member of the Judicial Conference of the United States between 1990 and 1994 and the United States Sentencing Commission between 1985 and 1989.
Known for his pragmatic approach towards constitutional law and is associated with liberal side of the court

Associate Justice Samuel Alito, Jr. external image samuel-alito-01.jpg

Judicial

Was professor at Seton Hall University School of Law in Newark from 1999 to 2004.
Was presented with Saint Thomas More Medal
The 110th justice, the second Italian American, and the 11th Catholic in the history of the Supreme Court, and the fifth Catholic on the Court at the time he assumed office.

Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor
external image chair_sonia_sotomayor.jpg&t=1

Judicial

* Mexicoo City Policy: "the United States will no longer contribute to separate nongovernmental organizations which perform or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning in other nations."

Sotomayor heard appeals in more than 3,000 cases and wrote about 380 opinions where she was in the majority.
President Barack Obama nominated Sotomayor to replace retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter. Her nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate in August 2009 by a vote of 68–31. She is the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice to be nominated.
First Hispanic Justice
Went to Princeton
Obama appointed her to replace David Souter and was voted in by a vote of 68-31